We were picked up at 0730 (another early start for Bray!) to catch the 8am bus to Xam Neua.
Got there, got on, only falangs on the bus - nice bus though! The trip was enlivened by many loo stops (appreciated by Bray and his small bladder) and picking up/dropping off of many people in random small villages where they waved the bus down to a screeching halt. Sometimes with the whole village there to see them off!
The roads were windy as ever so Bray rested his eyes and even Roni felt queasy by the last 20km (the ride is over 280km in total).
Our bus driver signalled his arrival around blind turns by blasting the horn long and loud! So we became VERY used to the sound of our horn - this time the soundtrack was LOUD Laos music...though at least one Westlife song made the cut again! Madness.
About 15k out of Xam Neua the monsoon arrived with a vengeance - we could see it coming, very cool! Grabbed a tuk tuk with a local lady to find a guesthouse, settled in, had fried rice next door for dinner. Tasty!
In the night there was the most SPECTACULAR thunderstorm either of us has ever experienced! Sounded like artillery and bombing, woke us up (petrified!) then kept us awake appreciating the power of it all! Amazing.
